Annie Terrill

Obituary For Annie Terrill

Mrs. Annie Mae Terrill, age 100, daughter of the late Jess and Essie Jeffries Morrow was born on April 25, 1926 in Durham County, NC. She peacefully transitioned from this earthly life on July 26, 2026 in PA.

Her early childhood was spent in Earl, North Carolina, and she later moved to Shelby, North Carolina. Our mother accepted Christ at an early age at Old Ellis Chapel Baptist Church in Earl, North Carolina, and later united with New Ellis Chapel Baptist Church in Shelby, North Carolina. She faithfully sang in the choir alongside many lifelong friends. These were some of the happiest times in her life. She was respected and loved not only by her church family but also throughout the White Street-Freeman community. To know her was truly to love her.

In 1971, our mother relocated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she began working for Bell Telephone of Pennsylvania. Though the work was challenging, she enjoyed her career and remained dedicated until retirement. Through her hard work and determination, she purchased a home on Washington Avenue. She enjoyed spending time sitting on her porch or in the park across the street, feeding squirrels and watching the activity of the city. The buses and trolley cars were a fascinating contrast to the quiet streets of Shelby, North Carolina.

Upon moving to Philadelphia, our mother joined BibleWay Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. Dr. McKinley Gaither. She remained a faithful member under the current leadership of Rev. Dr. Damone B. Jones, Sr. and Dr. Melissa Jones, whom she dearly adored. She loved attending Sunday School and, in her earlier years, faithfully served as a Nurse Aide within the church in the earlier years.

Our mother was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Willie James Terrill, Sr.; her sons, Levon Terrill, Sr. and James Terrill, Jr.; her sisters, Linnie E. Gaither (Phila), Jessie Mae Boykins (Phila), and Evangeline Littlejohn (Mich); her brothers, Jess Morrow, Jr. (Shelby, NC), Thomasine Morrow (Shelby, NC), William “Bill” Morrow (Shelby, NC), Herman Morrow (Brooklyn, NY) and Anthony Morrow (Phila); her sisters-in-law, Selma Whittenburg Morrow (Charlotte, NC), Molene Curry Morrow (Shelby, NC), and Sylvia Morrow (Lenoir, NC); her brothers-in-law, Bill Littlejohn (Mich), Johnny Boykins (Phila), and Johnny Gaither (Phila); her grandson, Levon Dennis Joynes (Phila); and her lifelong friend, Mrs. Freelove Dawkins (Shelby, NC).

She leaves to cherish her loving memory her daughter, Sonia Morrow Joynes of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; her son, Gregory Terrill of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; grandsons, Christian Monty Joynes of Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, Alan J. Joynes (Bridget) of Claymont, Delaware, Levon Terrill, Jr. of Shelby, North Carolina, and Willie J. Terrill III of Brooklyn, New York; granddaughters, Kimerly Joynes of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Altavese Terrill Dickens (Sedrick) of Austell, Georgia; and her sister-in-law, Mrs. Lottie Morrow of Shelby, North Carolina.

She also leaves a cherished legacy of family:

Great grandchildren, Anthony Robinson, Nicolaus Terrill, Christian M. Joynes, Jr., Levon Dennis Joynes, Jr., Christian White, Malik B. Joynes, Aaiyda Joynes, Amina Lee Robinson, Kia K. Joynes, Sonia Michelle Joynes, Anaya B. Joynes, Anissa Terrill, and Kiyaa.

Great great grandchildren: Levi Terrill, Elias Terrill, Brickell Terrill, Zakeir Joynes, Miles Whitaker, Nyeem Whitaker, Joshua Whitaker, Emery J. L. Joynes-Ibitowa, Terrell, Anthony (Robinson), Bryce, Makai, Levon, Sevon, Rayan, Avalon Terrill, Adasyn Terrill, Aubryn Terrill, Kayla L. Rice, Sydney Whitaker, Shayla L. Robinson, Tiara, Tahira, Tamera, Naja, Anisa, Kiersten, Zanasia.

Great-great-great grandchildren: Caitlyn, Xayne, Abby, Zaire, Omari.

Mrs. Annie Mae Terrill's life was a testament to faith, perseverance, love, and devotion to family. Her warm smile, caring spirit, and unwavering trust in God will forever remain in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, August 8, 2026 at 3:30 PM at New Ellis Chapel Baptist Church in Shelby. The burial was at Webb Memorial Lawns.

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